Method of making a quilt

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for superimposing an image of a quilt pattern over an image of a quilt to preview what a completed quilt will look like before the quilt pattern is sewn onto the quilt. One method may include selecting an image of a quilt, inputting a first and a second quilt dimension into a controller, selecting a quilt pattern including a thread color to be used over at least a portion of the quilt, selecting the thread color, superimposing the quilt pattern over the at least a portion of the quilt, selectively altering the quilt pattern, and outputting a completed image displaying a final quilt pattern superimposed over the quilt and parameters for a quilting machine to sew the final quilt pattern onto the quilt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/034,743, filed on Jun. 4, 2020, titled “METHODOF MAKING A QUILT”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to an improved quilting methodor process of making a quilt and a computer application for aiding aquilter in making a quilt.

BACKGROUND

This background description is set forth below for the purpose ofproviding context only. Therefore, any aspect of this backgrounddescription, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as priorart, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art againstthe instant disclosure.

The process of creating a quilt is a very time and labor intensiveprocess. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and amethod that accurately superimposes an image of a quilt pattern over animage of the quilt in order to preview what the completed quilt willlook like before sewing. This allows a quilter or a quilt machineoperator to choose their pantograms, arrange the pantograms, and nestthe pantograms, all while observing the effects superimposed on thequilt. If the quilter is not satisfied, they are able to change any orall parameters to their desire before the quilt is quilted. Thus, aprocess is disclosed for aiding a quilter to design and visualize inadvance what a final quilted product would look like before a sewingmachine starts the sewing process.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected configurations and not all possible implementations, and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for making a quilt in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a quilt showing pieces of fabric sewn togetherin a pattern;

FIG. 3 is another top view of quilt showing pieces of fabric sewntogether in a pattern;

FIG. 4 is top view of a quilt showing batting material sandwichedbetween the sewn fabric and a backing material;

FIG. 5 is an example of a long arm quilting machine;

FIG. 6 is an example of a pantogram that can be used with quilting;

FIG. 7 is the pantogram shown in FIG. 6 that has been combined in rowsand columns using a computer application;

FIG. 8 illustrates a frame that can be used to mount the quilt for thepicture taking step of the quilting process;

FIG. 9 illustrates an actual quilt that has been clipped to the frame ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a screen shot of the computer application that isused in the quilt making process, showing entry of the quilt dimensions;

FIG. 11 illustrates a screen shot of the photograph of the quilt of FIG.9, but now the photograph has been uploaded to the computer application;

FIG. 12 illustrates a screen shot of the next step of the quiltingprocess where the photo of the quilt is sized;

FIG. 13 illustrates a screen shot of the computer software which allowsa quilter to click on the pantogram button to gain access to a libraryof pantograms one can chose from;

FIG. 14 illustrates a screen shot of a sample library of pantograms fora quilter to choose from;

FIG. 15 illustrates a screen shot of the computer software and the stepof automatically filling in around the perimeter of the quilt with rowsand columns of the pantogram based on the original size of thepantogram;

FIG. 16 illustrates a screen shot of an alternative arrangement where asingle pantogram can be loaded into the computer application and rowsand columns (patterns) can be manually controlled;

FIG. 17 illustrates a screen shot where the scaling of the pattern canbe manually changed by the quilter;

FIG. 18 illustrates a screen shot of the options menu of the computerapplication;

FIG. 19 illustrates a screen shot of the thread menu of the computerapplication;

FIG. 20 illustrates a screen shot of the thread library that a quiltercould choose from;

FIG. 21 illustrates a screen shot of the chosen thread color and detailsabout that thread;

FIG. 22 illustrates a screen shot of the chosen thread color, and thepantogram, superimposed on a display along with the quilt, thusproviding a quilter an advance visual of what a completed quilt couldlook like; and

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a method for making a quilt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for making a quilt and superimposing an image of aquilt pattern over an image of a quilt to preview what a completed quiltwill look like before the quilt pattern is sewn onto the quilt aredisclosed. One method may include selecting an image of a quilt,inputting a first and a second quilt dimension into a controller,selecting a quilt pattern including a thread color to be used over atleast a portion of the quilt, selecting the thread color, superimposingthe quilt pattern over the at least a portion of the quilt, selectivelyaltering the quilt pattern, and outputting a completed image displayinga final quilt pattern superimposed over the quilt and parameters for aquilting machine to sew the final quilt pattern onto the quilt.

With reference to FIG. 1, a system 10 for making a quilt 12 is shown.The system 10 may include a controller 14, a network 16, a quiltingmachine 18, a quilting machine controller 20, a quilt support frame 22,a camera 24, a quilt pattern library 26, and a thread library 28.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the quilt 12 may include a first layer 30,a second layer 32, and a third layer 34. In some configurations, thesecond layer 32 may be disposed between the first and third layers 30,34, the first layer 30 may be the frontmost layer, and the third layer34 may be the rearmost layer. In some implementations, the first layer30 is made from various pieces of fabric together in a pattern (FIG. 2).The second layer 32 is a soft material commonly referred to as batting,and the third layer 34 is a fabric layer referred to as the backing. Anexample of these layers is illustrated in FIG. 4. The sandwiched layersare typically put into a machine 18 called a long arm quilting machineas shown in FIG. 5 to sew these layers together with the sewingtypically done in decorative patterns.

With reference to FIG. 1, the controller 14 includes a display 36 and isconnected to the network 16 (e.g., the internet). The network 16 is acommunications network that may be wired and/or wireless. In someimplementations, the controller 14 is configured to execute a pluralityof applications stored on computer readable media (not depicted). Insome configurations, the controller 14 is a traditional PC, tablet,server, or specialized application. The controller 14 may be configuredwith one or more processors, volatile memory, and non-volatile memorysuch as flash storage or internal or external hard disk (e.g., networkattached storage). The applications executed by the controller 14 arepreferably implemented in software (e.g., instructions stored on anon-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk, flash drive, orDVD-ROM), but hardware implementations are possible. In some examples,the software implementations of the applications may be written in oneor more programming languages or combinations thereof, includinglow-level or high-level languages, with examples including Java, Ruby,JavaScript, Python, C, C++, C#, or Rust. The program code may executeentirely on the controller 14 as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the controller 14, partly on a remote computer or computing device,or entirely on a remote computer or computing device.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the camera 24 may be any suitablecamera or device capable of taking pictures (e.g., cell phone, tablet,etc.) The camera 24 may be connected to the controller 14 and/or thenetwork 16. For example, the camera 24 may be connected to thecontroller 14 via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ethernet, or ports within thecontroller 14 (e.g., USB). The camera 14 is configured to capture imagesthat are transferrable to the controller 14 and displayable by thedisplay 36.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, in some configurations a quilting orsewing machine 18 is used to sew certain user selected patterns orpanotgrams onto the quilt 12. The system 10 may include any suitablequilting or sewing machine, such as a long arm quilting machine (FIG.5). In some examples, the quilting machine 18 may include a quiltingmachine controller 20 configured to receive inputs, commands, orinstructions from a user or a remote computing device.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an example pantogram 38 is shown. Thepantogram 38 may be any suitable pantogram or pattern that a user (e.g.,a quilter, a quilt machine operator, or a customer) desires to have sewnonto a quilt. In this regard, the design of a pantogram is formed fromthread defining thread lines 39. The thread lines 39 may illustrate thesize and spacing of stitching, and a color of the selected thread. Thereare hundreds of available pantograms for purchase or for free. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, a singular pantogram 38 is shown. The singularpantogram covers only a portion of the quilt or a singular region of thequilt 12. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the pantogram 38 is replicated tocover an entire surface area A of the quilt 12.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 14, in some implementations, a digitalquilt pattern library 26 is implemented to store a plurality ofpantograms 38. The library 26 may be connected to the network 16 and/orthe controller 14. In some examples, a user may select certainpantograms 38 to include in the library 26, and/or the library 26 mayinclude certain pantograms or patterns that are available on theinternet. In some configurations, the library 26 may be stored withinthe controller 14. In operation, a user may access the library 26 viathe controller 14 to select which pantogram 38 to sew onto the quilt 12.

With reference to FIG. 8, a quilt support frame 22 having a length and awidth is illustrated. The frame 22 may be used in a photographing setupportion of the quilt making process. For example, the frame 22 isconfigured to support a quilt 12 that a user desires to have pantograms38 sewn onto, so that the camera 24 can capture an image of the quilt12. The frame 22 is configured to support the quilt in a manner suchthat the camera 24 captures an image of the quilt with minimaldistortions.

In some configurations, the frame 22 includes a cross bar 40 that isoperable to be raised and lowered to accommodate different sizes ofquilts. In some examples, one or more clips 42 are used to detachablyconnect the quilt 12 to the frame 22. In some configurations, the camera24 is disposed adjacent or opposite the frame 22. The camera 24 may bemounted on a tripod (not depicted) so that the camera remains fixedrelative to the frame 22. In some examples, the frame 22 is squared to awall. In operation, the camera 24 must be trued up so that the lens ofthe camera 24 is aligned parallel to the quilt. The foregoing alignmentavoids distortion which can negatively impact the quilting processes.

With reference to FIG. 9, an image captured by the camera 24 of thequilt 12 clipped to the cross bar 40 of the frame 22 via clips 22 isshown. The quilt 12 is disposed square to the camera for perfectalignment. It will be preferred to use a high-resolution camera that iscapable of capturing minuscule details such as colors, thread position,and patterns. Further, lighting control is important so that propercolors in the quilt and thread are captured. Thus, a lighting system,not shown, may be provided as part of the system 10.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, in operation, a computer application44 executed by the controller 14 is used by a user to aid in the quiltmaking process. In this regard, the application 44 is used to accuratelysuperimpose an image IP of a quilt pattern (e.g., a pantogram) over animage of a quilt IQ to preview what a completed quilt will look likebefore sewing is commenced. In some examples, after the image of thequilt is captured in the foregoing manner, the image is transferred tothe controller 14, and opened via the application 44.

A user may enter one or more quilt dimensions 46 into the application44. For example, the one or more quilt dimension 46 may include a length(i.e., height) and width of the quilt 12. In this regard, the user maymanually measure the quilt 12 to obtain the quilt dimensions 46. FIG. 10illustrates a screen shot of the application 44 where the user entersthe quilt dimension 46. In some implementations, inputting thedimensions 46 aids in an initial scaling so that the quilt 12 can bedisplayed more accurately.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, a screen shot of the application 44displaying the initial image IQ of the quilt 12 captured by the camera24 is shown. This is the raw image where no alteration has occurred. Insome examples, the application is configured to clip this initial imageto reflect the quilt dimensions 46 entered by the user. In one example,the user may manually clip the image. In this regard, the user may pointa cursor (not shown) at a top left-hand corner of the image, the usermay click and drag the cursor to a different location (e.g., a lowerright-hand corner of the image), resulting in the clipping of the image.As the user drags the cursor, a selection box is created whose width tolength ratio is substantially similar to that of the quilt dimensions46. In some examples, the selection box serves to be a check to ensurethat the quilt dimension 46 were entered correctly. For example, in someconfigurations, a perimeter of the selection box should substantiallymatch an outer border of the quilt 12. The foregoing results in an imagesize that reflects the previously inputted quilt dimensions 46. Inanother example, the application 44 will automatically clip the image tomatch the quilt dimension 46. After the image is clipped, a new imagewill be generated.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a screen shot of the application 44displaying the newly clipped image IC is shown. The new image nowmatches exactly the scale that was input in the step shown in FIG. 10.The new image IC is a clean, resized, trimmed image that will bereferred to as a working image hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 13, a screen shot of the application 44illustrating how the user can access and select a pantogram 38 is shown.This is accomplished by clicking on the Get Pantogram tab 48 which inturn takes the user to the pantogram library 26 that is shown in FIG.14. FIG. 14 illustrates a library 26 having at least 20 default orpreferred pantogram 38 patterns that a quilt operator may desire toemploy. It will be appreciated that other patterns of pantograms 38 arecontemplated. The library 26 may be updated, including being connectedto the internet 16 to locate other patterns that may be uploaded andsaved into the library 26.

With reference to FIG. 15, a screen shot of the application 44displaying a user selected pantogram 38 is shown. In some examples, thisis the preview step. In other examples, this is a sizing step to showthe working image with respect to the selected pantogram 38. In someexamples, the application 44 is configured to automatically duplicatethe pantogram 38 such that the entire quilt 12 is covered. In someimplementations, the user can change the pantogram 38 repeatedly untilthey arrive at their desired selection. The application 44 is configuredto allow the user to go back and forth from the screens of FIG. 14 andFIG. 15 so as to pick an image combination between the quilt 12 and thepantogram 38 that the consumer desires. Thus, this is the flexible partof the invention as it allows quilter to see instantly, in advance, tocustomize the design to their liking. Thus, this preview feature in FIG.15 is a valuable aspect of the disclosure that has not been done byothers.

With continued reference to FIG. 15, in some implementations, theapplication 44 automatically duplicates the selected pantogram 38 into aplurality of panotgrams 50 to cover the entire surface area of the quilt12. In this regard, the plurality of pantograms 50 are arranged into apredetermined number of rows R and columns C. In this regard, theinitial size of the pantogram 38 determines the number of rows andcolumns required to cover the entire quilt 12. For example, as depictedin FIG. 15, the selected pantogram 38 requires the plurality ofpantograms 50 to have 6 rows and 5 columns to cover the quilt 12.

With reference to FIG. 16, a screen shot of the application 44 havingthe ability to change the size of the pantogram 38 is shown. In someexamples, the user can add or subject rows and/or columns to change thesize of the pantogram 38. For example, if the user adds a row and/orcolumns the plurality of pantograms 50 will have more pantograms 38 tocover the quilt 12 and, therefore, the size of the pantogram 50 willdecrease. In other words, by adding a row and/or column, there will bemore pantograms 38 available to cover the quilt 12. The opposite isrequired to increase the size of the pantogram 38. For example,decreasing the number of initial rows and/or columns will increase thesize of pantograms 38, since there will be less pantograms 38 availableto cover the quilt 12. In some examples, the user can also select thevertical row spacing in increments such that the rows overlap (verticalrow spacing selection 52).

With reference to FIG. 17, a screen shot of the application 44 havingthe ability to increase or decrease the scale S of the pantogram 38 isshown. In this step, the user has three selections for direction (e.g.,WL, W, or L). This step allows for flexibility of the scaling process toprovide greater design selection. The user also has a tab to increasethe scale increment in different increments (10%, 1% or 0.1%) so as toprovide yet greater flexibility. This helps the user better position thepantogram 38. In some implementations, the application 44 may include ahorizontal Row Offset feature tab 54 to accommodate nesting of thepantograms. This step allows the user to configure the working image toaccommodate the nesting of pantograms.

With reference to FIG. 18, illustrates a screen shot that shows otheroptions for visualization that a user can select to aid in the imagevisualization part of the process. In this step the user can turn offthe quilt image and will only see the plurality of pantograms 50. Thismay be helpful if the user desires to see how the pantograms 38 line up(would look like FIG. 7.). Then, when the user is sure they like thepantogram pattern as selected, the user can turn back on the Show Quiltbutton 56 and the quilt 12 will re-appear. The auto scale button 58allows the user to scale the pantogram 38 to an image on the quilt 12.The grid lines button 60 allows the user to show a set of grid lineswhich will show on a quilt just like graph paper. This helps the userlook at proportionality of the images. Circle Ends and Connect Ends tabs62, 64 are markers for the user to help set up the quilting machine 18.The Fill Sides tab 66 allows the user to fill in the blank spaces on thequilt edge such that quilt edge is filled out more evenly. The Trim toQuilt Edge tab 68 allows the user to better understand if the quiltingmachine 18 is going out bounds. This is a feature used by a machineoperator. The Title bar tab 70 provides the parameters about the quiltmachine 18 set up. This allows an operator to print out the completedimage of the quilt and put the title on same.

With reference to FIG. 19, a screen shot of the application 44 showingthe thread color selection 72. The thread color is the color of thethread 39 used to create the pantogram 38. The thread color selection 72allows the user the opportunity to pick and then visualize what thatthread color will look like when viewing the potential completed quilt12. In some examples, when a user selects the Get Thread tab 74, theapplication 44 is configured to access the thread library 28.

With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, the thread library 28 is shown. Likethe quilt pattern library 26, the thread library 28 may be connected tothe network 16 and/or the controller 14. In some examples, the user mayselect certain spoils of thread 76 to include in the library 28. Inother examples, the library 28 may include commercially available spoilsof thread 76 and purchasing information for each of the spoils of thread76, so that the user can purchase the selected spoil. In someconfigurations, the library 28 may be stored within the controller 14.It will be appreciated that the thread color can be tailored by the userto select a design of their own choice in thread color and input a newthread of their own choosing.

With reference to FIG. 22, a screen shot showing the quilt 12 with theuser selected thread 39 is shown. Thus, this is another preview featureof the system 10. If the user and/or a customer of the user's does notlike the color they chose, they can go back and forth to the library 28to pick the color of their liking. It will be appreciated that the usercan pick a thread color for one portion of the quilt 12, then can goback to the library 28 and pick a different thread color that can beused on another portion of the quilt 12. Thus, a multi-thread colorprocess is provided which provides greater color flexibility for thequilter. Thus, the system provides a pantogram, and thread color, thatmay be selected in a “region” of the quilt. Thus, each region of a quiltmay have a preselected pantogram and color scheme. A quilt may have one,or multiple regions. Within a region you can scale it and stitch it withwhatever color thread and pantogram so desired. Thus, the present systemprovides for “block” quilting” with substantial design flexibility forthe advanced quilter.

With reference to FIG. 23, a method 100 for making a quilt 12 isillustrated. At block 102, the method 100 includes positioning a quilt12 onto a support frame 22. At block 104, the method 100 includespositioning a camera 24 adjacent to the frame 22. At block 106, themethod 100 includes capturing an image of the quilt 12. At block 108,the method 100 includes inputting the image into a controller 14. Atblock 110, the method includes inputting a first 46-1 and a second 46-2quilt dimension into the controller 14. At block 112, the method 100includes clipping the image to reflect the first and second quiltdimensions 46-1, 46-2. At block 114, the method 100 includes selectingthe quilt pattern (e.g., the pantogram 38). At block 116, the method 100includes selecting a thread color 76. At block 118, the method 100includes superimposing the quilt pattern 38 over at least a portion ofthe quilt 12. At block 120, the method 100 includes selectively alteringthe quilt pattern 38. At block 122, the method 100 includes outputting acompleted image including the quilt superimposed with the user selectedpantogram and thread color, and the parameters required for the quiltingmachine 18 to sew the pantogram 38 onto the quilt 12. For example, theparameters may include quilt dimensions, final pantogram selection anddimensions, number of rows and columns of the pantogram, final threadselection, thread details such as stitching details, etc.

The system 10, the method 100 of making a quilt, and the computerapplication 44, are comprised of several features and quilt processingsteps. The following steps are contemplated but are not an exhaustivelist. It will be appreciated that other steps may be provided, and theymay be performed in an arrangement that is different than that set forthherein.

1. A process of positioning the actual quilt such that there is minimaldistortion to the quilt in geometric shape and size. Hanging or placinga large flexible piece of fabric can be a bit of a challenge. Somedistortion is acceptable.

2. A process of positioning a suitably featured camera such that theresulting photo image of the quilt will have minimal distortion.

3. A process of altering the resulting image, particularly with respectto shades of light, dark and contrast such that the resulting image on aprinted sheet, displays on a computer monitor or any other visualizingdevice the quilter will use is as close to the actual quilt as possible.

4. A process of acquiring the color of commercially available threadwith the ability to alter the color to match visualizing means, matchingas close as possible the lighting conditions for both the quilt andthread.

5. A process of digitally clipping the quilt image from the photographand matching the actual scaled quilt dimensions to the image dimensions.

6. A process of dividing the image into regions with at minimum oneregion being the entire quilt.

7. A process of selecting patterns from a digital library of patterns tobe used in a given region or all regions.

8. A process of scaling, moving, replicating, rotating, connectingpatterns for each region and superimposing over the image.

9. A process of selecting a thread color for each region or for allregions as a conglomerate.

10. A process of producing a replica of the resulting image to be sentvia photo, email, text or other visual media to a quilter not on site.

11. A process of capturing the resulting parameters in a form that canbe used by the machine operator to duplicate the results on the machine.

12. A process in which the time and cost of doing the quilting operationcan be reasonably estimated. This information may or may not bepresented to the quilter but is valuable information for scheduling andcosting.

13. A process that preferably but not necessarily provides informationin a format that can be read directly by the host quilting machineoperating system. One embodiment of this system is in the instance of aquilt machine operator who is given a quilt to finish, but littlefurther information (as in “well, whatever you think is best) to notonly visualize for themselves but to be able to send a viewable documentto the quilter for their perusal.

Another embodiment for this system is for the quilter to provide severaloptions to the quilt operator. The quilt operator then uses the systemto generate several documents illustrating the results of the options.The quilter then either chooses one of the options or requestsadditional options.

Another embodiment of the system is for the quilter to send the quilt tothe operator. The photographic work is done by the operator and theoperator uses various desktop sharing systems such as Screenleap orother similar systems to observe the operator using the system andmaking selections or changes in real time. This alleviates the need fora quilter to learn how to use a system they may only periodically use.Many of the sharing systems allow the remote user to operate the system,which could easily be done with the operator assisting until the quiltercan do many things themselves.

Another embodiment of the system is for the necessary equipment,typically a suitable camera and suitable portable computer, to be takento a quilt/fabric/craft store which has facilities for hanging a quilt,and scheduling appointments for quilters ready for quilting theirquilts. This would be someone trained in the system so that no expertiseis needed in the operation of the system. Many quilt stores haveadequate facility to do this as they conduct training classes in theirfacilities.

Another embodiment of the system is for the equipment to be installed asa kiosk in stores such as the above mentioned who have personnel capableof assisting walk in customers. Final criteria could be electronicallysent to the quilt operator and a shipping label generated if needed.

Another embodiment of the system is to take it to locations wherequilters gather together to quilt in a social environment. This couldfirst be done with a trained operator present, eventually becoming akiosk situation.

Another embodiment of the system is to franchise the system to variousoperators around the world who would pay a franchise to use the system.

Another embodiment is to establish a central processing center wheretrained operators who use various methods outlined above to assist inthe design decisions, then electronically provide mailing labels to thequilters for shipping the quilt to network of operators and sending therequired parameters to the operator. Personnel highly skilled in the artof creative design could be used at the center to assist quilters intheir selection of patterns, placements, threads, etc.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustrationand description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure. Individual elements or features of a particularconfiguration are generally not limited to that particularconfiguration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can beused in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown ordescribed. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thedisclosure.

Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like)are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members betweena connection of elements and relative movement between elements. Assuch, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements aredirectly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The useof “e.g.” and “for example” in the specification is to be construedbroadly and is used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments ofthe disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. Usesof “and” and “or” are to be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as“and/or”). For example, and without limitation, uses of “and” do notnecessarily require all elements or features listed, and uses of “or”are inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical.

While processes, systems, and methods may be described herein inconnection with one or more steps in a particular sequence, it should beunderstood that such methods may be practiced with the steps in adifferent order, with certain steps performed simultaneously, withadditional steps, and/or with certain described steps omitted.

It should be understood that a computer, a system, and/or a processor asdescribed herein may include a conventional processing apparatus knownin the art, which may be capable of executing preprogrammed instructionsstored in an associated memory, all performing in accordance with thefunctionality described herein. To the extent that the methods describedherein are embodied in software, the resulting software can be stored inan associated memory and can also constitute means for performing suchmethods. Such a system or processor may further be of the type havingROM, RAM, RAM and ROM, and/or a combination of non-volatile and volatilememory so that any software may be stored and yet allow storage andprocessing of dynamically produced data and/or signals.

It should be further understood that an article of manufacture inaccordance with this disclosure may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having a computer program encodedthereon for implementing logic and other functionality described herein.The computer program may include code to perform one or more of themethods disclosed herein. Such embodiments may be configured to executevia one or more processors, such as multiple processors that areintegrated into a single system or are distributed over and connectedtogether through a communications network, and the communicationsnetwork may be wired and/or wireless. Code for implementing one or moreof the features described in connection with one or more embodimentsmay, when executed by a processor, cause a plurality of transistors tochange from a first state to a second state. A specific pattern ofchange (e.g., which transistors change state and which transistors donot), may be dictated, at least partially, by the logic and/or code.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of superimposing an image of a quiltpattern over an image of a quilt to preview what a completed quilt willlook like before the quilt pattern is sewn onto the quilt, the methodcomprising: positioning, by a user, a quilt onto a frame; positioning,by the user, a camera relative to the frame; capturing, by the user, animage of the quilt; inputting, by the user, the image into a controller;inputting, by the user, a first and a second quilt dimension into thecontroller; clipping, by the controller, the image to reflect the firstand second quilt dimensions; selecting, by the user, a quilt pattern tobe used over at least a portion of the quilt, the quilt patternincluding a thread color; selecting, by the user, the thread color;superimposing, by the controller, the quilt pattern over the at least aportion of the quilt; selectively altering, by the user, the quiltpattern; and outputting, by the controller, a completed image displayinga final quilt pattern superimposed over the quilt and parameters for aquilting machine to sew the final quilt pattern onto the quilt.
 2. Themethod accordingly to claim 1, wherein positioning, by a user, a quiltonto a frame, includes detachably connecting the quilt to the frame viaone or more clips.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinpositioning, by a user, a quilt onto a frame includes positioning thequilt so that the quilt is captured in the image having minimaldistortion.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first quiltdimension is a length of the quilt and the second quilt dimension is awidth of the quilt.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein afterthe user inputs the image into the controller, the image is displayed ona display connected to the controller.
 6. The method according to claim1, wherein selecting, by the user, a quilt pattern to be used over atleast a portion of the quilt, includes acquiring the quilt pattern froma digital library having a plurality of quilt patterns.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 5, wherein selecting, by the user, the thread color,includes acquiring the thread color from a digital library that includescommercially available thread colors.
 8. The method according to claim7, wherein the user is able to alter the thread color depicted on thedisplay to more closely match one of the commercially available threadcolors.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein superimposing, bythe controller, the quilt pattern over at least a portion of the quilt,includes replicating the quilt pattern into a plurality of patternscovering an entire surface area of the quilt.
 10. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein the plurality of patterns are positioned in one ormore rows and one or more columns.
 11. The method according to claim 10,wherein a size of the quilt pattern can be increase by decreasing theone or more rows or the one or more columns.
 12. The method according toclaim 10, wherein a size of the quilt pattern can be decreased byincreasing the one or more rows or the one or more columns.
 13. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein selectively altering, by the user,the quilt pattern, includes at least one among: scaling, moving,offsetting, replicating, rotating, and connecting one or more quiltpatterns.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parametersare in a format that can be used by the quilting machine to sew thefinal quilt pattern onto the quilt so that a completed quilt thatmirrors the completed image is produced.
 15. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the quilt includes a first fabric layer, a secondfabric layer, and a third fabric layer.
 16. A method of superimposing animage of a quilt pattern over an image of a quilt to preview what acompleted quilt will look like before the quilt pattern is sewn onto thequilt, the method comprising: selecting, by a user, an image of a quilt;inputting, by the user, a first and a second quilt dimension into acontroller; selecting, by the user, a quilt pattern to be used over atleast a portion of the quilt, the quilt pattern including a threadcolor; selecting, by the user, the thread color; superimposing, by thecontroller, the quilt pattern over the at least a portion of the quilt;selectively altering, by the user, the quilt pattern; and outputting, bythe controller, a completed image displaying a final quilt patternsuperimposed over the quilt and parameters for a quilting machine to sewthe final quilt pattern onto the quilt.
 17. The method according toclaim 16, wherein selecting, by the user, a quilt pattern to be usedover at least a portion of the quilt, includes acquiring the quiltpattern from a digital library having a plurality of quilt patterns. 18.The method according to claim 16, wherein selecting, by the user, thethread color, includes acquiring the thread color from a digital librarythat includes commercially available thread colors.
 19. A method ofsuperimposing an image of a quilt pattern over an image of a quilt topreview what a completed quilt will look like before the quilt patternis sewn onto the quilt, the method comprising: selecting, by a user, aquilt pattern to be used over at least a portion of a quilt, the quiltpattern including a thread color; selecting, by the user, an image of aquilt; superimposing, by a controller, the quilt pattern over the atleast a portion of the quilt; selectively altering, by the user, thequilt pattern; selecting, by the user, the thread color; and outputting,by the controller, a completed image displaying a final quilt patternsuperimposed over the quilt.
 20. The method according to claim 19,further comprising the step of providing a completed quilt.